Which Angel & Demons tour?

I saw the film a couple of weeks ago, and--darn--haven't been to Rome since I saw the film... :)

So, although I can't answer your question, here's a surprising fact that's related to your question, and which I hope they point out on the tours:

Did you know that...

None of the film was actually shot in any church in Rome.

Here's the explanation from Wikipedia:

"Roman Catholic Church officials found The Da Vinci Code offensive and forbade filming in their churches, so these scenes [all scenes showing interior of churches in Rome] were shot at Sony."

I don't know if the Wikipedia explanation is the whole truth; I believe CBS interviewed a priest who said the Church didn't want its churches associated with murder.

Whatever the reason, the bottom line is that, although many exterior shots were shot on location in Rome, all of the many scenes that appear to be filmed inside churches in Rome were actually filmed inside Sony studio sound stages using greenscreen and other computer enhancement techniques.

I've been to a lot of churches in Rome and, if I hadn't known this before I saw the film, I certainly would have been fooled. Shows you what Hollywood can do. The sound stages were only 80 feet high, yet they were able to make you think the action was taking place in churches (for example St. Peter's) that are much higher than 80 ft.

Shruti, I was looking into taking an Angels and Demons tour back in 2007. At that time, there was only one tour company. If it were me, and I was planning on taking a tour, I would stick with that tour company because they've been doing it for a long time.

I believe it was angelsanddemons.it

Larry: Yes, Bernini and Rome are inextricably linked and the film brings this out--as to both Bernini's architecture and sculpture. Just at St Peter's: the baldacchino, Chapel of the Sacrament, the plan for the niches and loggias in the piers of the dome, chair of St. Peter, the piazza, etc.

And one of my favorites: the Ecstasy of Saint Theresa, also featured in the film, although--again--the Church allowed no filming inside the actual churches, including Santa Maria della Vittoria where this sculpture is located.

I recently saw the movie too, entirely to enjoy the Roman scenery I love so much. Roma is my favorite place in the world next to home. However, please everyone remember that the story is entirely fictional and bears no relationship to anything that is true. In addition, very little except the street scenes was filmed actually in Roma. It is a very silly plot.

Oh wow!! that's amazing- thanks for the info byte :-).

You really don't need an Angels and Demons tour per se. I recommend staying near Trevi Fountain or Spanish steps and in two or three days, you can cover all the sights. In fact, you might want to consider reading the book Angels and Demons, which will give you a better idea of where to go. Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, St. Peters, Santa Maria - all are within a 5 km radius in Rome.

Kent, great scoop on how the movie was made. The movie, however, has given me a nice interest in Bernini's sculptures. I've been learning about them.